Legacies

TOLFA is generously supported by a number of legacies and memorial trusts which have not only helped our animals but brought comfort to family and friends. If you are kind enough to leave us a legacy in your will, it is vitally important that you do so through a solicitor or a professional will-writing service. They will guide you through the process and ensure that the wording is in the correct format so that your gift will be able to reach us.

What you should include in your will:
Whether you are writing a new will or amending an old one to include TOLFA, it is most important that you quote our UK Charity Registration number 1120789 and our full charity name ‘Tree of Life for Animals’ so that no matter what, your gift can find us.

Role of Executor:
It is helpful to make your Executor aware of the provisions within your will. It is possible for TOLFA to act as your executor, but for advice please contact the UK Manager.

Specific bequests:
If you would like to leave a legacy for a specific project or works, it is helpful to make this a preference rather than a condition of the legacy as projects and works will change over time. We will endeavour to adhere to your wishes but it leaves us free to use your legacy for the most appropriate project or works should we not be able to fulfil your request.

Tax
Your gift will be tax free to TOLFA. You can use charitable legacies in your will to reduce or eliminate your inheritance tax duties. You will need to discuss this with your solicitor.

There are four main types of legacy. Below are examples of wording that can be used for each:

Residuary bequest (a share of your estate)
I give (%) of the residue of my real and personal estate to Tree of Life for Animals (UK Registered Charity No 1120789). Refer to the UK Charities Commission for the current address of the charity. The receipt of the Treasurer or other proper officer for the time being of Tree of Life for Animals shall be a complete discharge to my executors.

Pecuniary bequest (a set sum)
I give the sum of [……..] pounds to Tree of Life for Animals (UK Registered Charity No 1120789). Refer to the UK Charities Commission for the current address of the charity. The receipt of the Treasurer or other proper officer for the time being of Tree of Life for Animals shall be a complete discharge to my executors.

Specific legacy bequest (a named item)
I give to Tree of Life for Animals (UK Registered Charity No 1120789) absolutely, my (name and description of item). Refer to the UK Charities Commission for the current address of the charity. If you are leaving a named item, please indicate your preference for its use, e.g ‘for sale at the best price and the proceeds going towards running costs’

Reversionary legacies/Life interest trusts
Typically this would be a property. My trustees shall hold [name and description of item] on trust for [name of lifetime beneficiary] during his lifetime and, following his death, hold the capital and income for Tree of Life for Animals (UK Registered Charity No 1120789). Refer to the UK Charities Commission for the current address of the charity. The receipt of the Treasurer or other proper officer for the time being of Tree of Life for Animals shall be a complete discharge to my trustees […].

For further information regarding legacies, please contact the UK Manager.